Barcelona Opera House Reopens To A Sold-Out Audience Of Potted Plants!
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Spain's three-month-long lockdown order imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was finally lifted on June 22, 2020. To celebrate the joyous occasion, the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain — one of Europe's oldest and most famous opera houses— staged its first live performance since mid-March. While every seat was occupied, there was not a human to be found. Instead, the sold-out audience comprised 2,292 potted plants carefully selected from local nurseries.
Featuring the UceLi Quartet, the performance, made available to human listeners via live-stream, was a prelude to the opera house's upcoming 2020-2021 season. In a nod to its leafy audience, the string quartet played a moving performance of Giacomo Puccini's "Crisantem" or "Chrysanthemums." Inspired by the beautiful yellow flowers, it is among a handful of instrumental works — and one of only four compositions for string quartet — penned by the famous Italian opera composer. Written in a single night, the musical arrangement pays tribute to King Amadeo of Spain — a close friend of Puccini's — who died in 1890.
Unfortunately for the musicians, the audience was unable to give the mesmerizing eight-minute-long performance the standing ovation it deserved. However, its resounding "applause" — the sound of leaves and branches blowing — could be heard across the opera house.
Eugenio Ampudia, who came up with the brilliant idea of the unusual audience, said he was inspired by nature during the pandemic lockdown. The Spanish artist says, "I heard many more birds singing. And the plants in my garden and outside growing faster. And, without a doubt, I thought that maybe I could now relate in a much intimate way with people and nature."
Following the concert, the "guests" were gifted to 2,292 healthcare workers at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona. The opera house officials said they wanted to show their appreciation for the brave men and women who have served "on the toughest front in a battle unprecedented for our generations."
Resources: NPR.org, theGuardian.com.
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134 Comments
zerotwo02over 4 yearsThat is so cool! Fun Fact: plants can respond to different vibrations caused by music, they certainly weren’t a passive audience even if they weren’t able to give applause. Now that the concert is over, each plant will be given to a different frontline healthcare worker who helped guide the country through its battle with the coronavirus.
coolvaeover 4 yearsI know that if a plant gets too much sun it will die.
animereina2021over 4 yearsI feel like when you watch the video it is like a reminder of bad that has happened this year, but giving hope. COVID 19 has already made the year a bad start, along with the wild fires growing in Australia. Now there are harmful protests and riots, which are good for when you stand up for someone, but not for your own health. We should all come to our senses and notice what has happened. Like, replay what has happened this year in your mind... We could flip this year right side up again, or keep it upside down.
rex-a-dogyover 4 yearsLol they bowed to the potted plants 🌿🤣🤣🤣🤣- jthememerover 4 yearsOH MY GOD THIS IS BEAUTIFUL
- zerotwo02over 4 yearsYES I KNOW
goodvibesonly09over 4 yearsThey music helps me stay strong even when I cant stop thinking about covid 19
msmelabuttover 4 yearsGood music i play viola medium cello violin type thing
newswatcherover 4 yearsThis is just sooooooooo funny, hahahahaha! But, it sort of make sense, but still, it’s funny, XD!
zaksover 4 yearsCool
lasderover 4 yearsWow
oy405over 4 yearsThis is so funny!! My mom said plants grow faster when they here music! Well this is a weird but true fact. :-D- rex-a-dogyover 4 yearsWell the science behind that is when you sing you breathe out carbon dioxide which helps plants grow ☺
wolfy_blueover 4 yearswow cool :)- goodvibesonly09over 4 yearsThat makes so much sence I will have to tell my mom and see if she believes me xD